Runners are notorious for two behavioral oddities:

1) We refuse any and all doctor's orders to cease and desist running activity when injured.
2) We have no good reason to provide when anyone asks us why we run.

I am guilty of both, but I do have a pat answer for the question that isn't as silly as it may sound.

I run because in case I have merited a long life, G-d has something to work with.

Whenever I line up for a marathon, people ask me if this my first. Oh no, it is certainly not. This November 1st, I will be running my 10th straight ING NYC Marathon. I'll have done 12 NYCs in all and 14 marathons overall.

I have always wanted to run for a cause, but fortunately, I have never had a family member or close friend stricken with any ailment that could be aligned with any popular organization who would appreciate my running sponsorship.

Therefore, when approached by OHEL, I jumped at the motivating opportunity to contribute my efforts to as worthy as cause as theirs – in this case running for thousands of children and family’s that depend on OHEL Bais Ezra year-round camps.

Incidentally, I grew up near OHEL facilities in Brooklyn and had friends who have used OHEL's services and who have been in their employ. My relationship to OHEL is not removed by too many degrees.

Therefore, this year if I'm asked why I run, the answer is, "For OHEL."

Please sponsor my run for them. Thank you and bless you.

-Mordechi Bodek